rosacea (roe-zay-she-uh) is a common skin condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels in your face. it may also produce small, red, pus-filled bumps. these signs and symptoms may flare up for weeks to months and then go away for a while.
rosacea can be mistaken for acne, other skin problems or natural ruddiness.
rosacea can affect anyone. but it's most common in middle-aged women who have light skin.
there's no cure for
rosacea, but treatment can control and reduce the signs and symptoms.
rosacea is a chronic skin disease that affects more than 16 million americans. the cause of
rosacea is still unknown, and there is no cure. however, research has allowed doctors to find ways to treat the condition by minimizing its symptoms.
there are four subtypes of
rosacea. each subtype has its own set of symptoms. it is possible to have more than one subtype of
rosacea at a time.
rosacea’s trademark symptom is small, red, pus-filled bumps on the skin that are present during flare-ups. typically,
rosacea affects only skin on your nose, cheeks, and forehead.
flare-ups often occur in cycles. this means that you will experience symptoms for weeks or months at a time, the symptoms will go away, and then return.
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subtype one; known as erythematotelangiectatic
rosacea (etr), is associated with
facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels.
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subtype two; papulopustular (or acne)
rosacea, is associated with acne-like breakouts, and often affects middle-aged women.
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subtype three; known as rhinophyma, is a rare form associated with thickening of the skin on your nose. it usually affects men and is often accompanied by another subtype of
rosacea.
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subtype four; known as ocular
rosacea, and its symptoms are centered on the eye area.
symptoms
●
facial redness;
rosacea usually causes a persistent redness in the central part of your face. small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks often swell and become visible.
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swollen, red bumps;many people with
rosacea also develop
pimples on their face that resemble acne. these bumps sometimes contain pus. your skin may feel hot and tender.
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eye problems;many people with
rosacea also experience dry, irritated, swollen eyes and red, swollen eyelids. this is known as ocular
rosacea. in some people, the eye symptoms precede the skin symptoms.
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enlarged nose;over time,
rosacea can thicken the skin on the nose, causing the nose to appear bulbous (rhinophyma). this occurs more often in men than in women.
● flushing and redness in the center of your face
● visible broken blood vessels
● swollen skin
● sensitive skin
● stinging and burning skin
● dry, rough, and scaly skin
● acne-like breakouts and very red skin
● oily skin
● sensitive skin
● broken blood vessels that are visible
● raised patches of skin
● acne-like breakouts and very red skin
● oily skin
● sensitive skin
● broken blood vessels that are visible
● raised patches of skin
signs of thickening skin:
● bumpy skin texture
● thick skin on nose
● thick skin on chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears
● large pores
● visible broken blood vessels
the cause of
rosacea has not been determined. it may be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. it is known that some things may make your
rosacea symptoms worse. these include:
● eating spicy foods
● eating items that contain the compound cinnamaldehyde, such as cinnamon, chocolate, tomatoes, and citrus
● drinking hot coffee or tea
● having the intestinal bacteria helicobacter pylori
● a skin mitecalled demodexand the bacterium it carries, bacillus oleronius
● the presence of cathelicidin(a protein that protects the skin from infection)
●
your genes;
rosacea often runs in families.
● blood vessel trouble;the redness on your skin might be due to problems with blood vessels in your face. sun damage could cause them to get wider, which makes it easier for other people to see them.
there are some factors that will make you more likely to develop
rosacea than others.
rosacea often develops in people between the ages of 30 and 50. it is also more common in people who are fair-skinned and have blond hair and blue eyes.
there are also genetic links to
rosacea. you are more likely to develop
rosacea if you have a family history of the condition or if you have celtic or scandinavian ancestors. women are also more likely to develop the condition than men. however, men who develop the condition often have more severe symptoms.
your doctor can easily diagnose
rosacea from a physical examination of your skin. they may refer you to a dermatologist who can determine whether you have
rosacea or another skin condition.
how can i control my symptoms?
rosacea cannot be cured, but you can take steps to control your symptoms.
make sure to take care of your skin using gentle cleansers and oil-free, water-based skin-care products.
shop for oil-free
facial creams and moisturizers.
avoid products that contain:
● alcohol
● menthol
● witch hazel
● exfoliating agents
these ingredients may irritate your symptoms.
your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan. this is usually a regimen of antibiotic creams and oral antibiotics.
keep a journal of the foods you eat and the cosmetics you put on your skin. this will help you figure out what makes your symptoms worse.
other management steps include:
●
avoiding direct sunlight and wearing
sunscreen
● avoiding drinking alcohol
●
using lasers and light treatment to help with some severe cases of
rosacea
●
taking eye medicines and antibiotics for ocular
rosacea
diagnosis
no specific test is used to diagnosis
rosacea. instead, your doctor relies on the history of your symptoms and an examination of your skin. you may have tests to rule out other conditions, such as psoriasis,
eczema or lupus. these conditions can sometimes cause signs and symptoms similar to those of
rosacea.
treatment
treatment for
rosacea focuses on controlling signs and symptoms. most often this requires a combination of good
skin care and prescription drugs.
the duration of your treatment depends on the type and severity of your signs and symptoms.
recurrence is common.
medications
new
rosacea medications have been developed in recent years. the type of medication your doctor prescribes depends on which signs and symptoms you're experiencing. you may need to try different options or a combination of drugs to find a treatment that works for you.
prescription drugs for
rosacea include:
●
topical drugs that reduce redness. for mild to moderate
rosacea, your doctor may prescribe a cream or gel that you apply to the affected skin. brimonidine (mirvaso) and oxymetazoline (rhofade) reduce redness by constricting blood vessels. you may see results within 12 hours after use. the effect on the blood vessels is temporary, so the medication needs to be applied regularly to maintain improvements.
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other topical products have less effect on the redness but help control the
pimples of mild
rosacea. these drugs include azelaic acid (azelex, finacea), metronidazole (metrogel, noritate, others) and ivermectin (soolantra).with azelaic acid and metronidazole, noticeable improvements generally don't appear for two to six weeks. ivermectin may take even longer to improve skin, but it results in a longer remission than does metronidazole.
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oral antibiotics. your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline (oracea, others) for moderate to severe
rosacea with bumps and
pimples.
●
oral acne drug;if you have severe
rosacea that doesn't respond to other therapies, your doctor may suggest isotretinoin (amnesteem, claravis, others). it's a powerful oral acne drug that also helps clear up acnelike lesions of
rosacea. don't use this drug during pregnancy as it can cause serious birth defects.
alternative medicine
gentle daily
facial massage may help reduce
swelling and inflammation. use a circular motion with your fingers starting on the central part of the face and work toward the ears.
a recent study suggests that caffeine may reduce the risk of developing
rosacea. even so, hot beverages are a common trigger.
many other alternative therapies — including emu oil, laurelwood and oregano oil — have been touted as possible ways to treat
rosacea. but no conclusive evidence supports the idea that any of these substances are effective.
talk with your doctor if you're considering dietary supplements or other alternative therapies to treat
rosacea. he or she can help you weigh the pros and cons of specific alternative therapies.